Plain Language Summary

AshNet is a network of Canadian government, academic, and industry researchers, foresters and policy makers investigating the beneficial diversion of wood ash, a by-product of the growing bioenergy industry, from landfills across Canada to forest soils. The use of wood ash as a forest soil amendment has the potential to not only reduce the waste produced by bioenergy production, but also to return important nutrients to the forest following harvest. Within AshNet there are currently 14 research trials spread across Canada that are testing the effects of wood ash application on the health and productivity of forests. These studies provide a wealth of information on the experimental methods and questions that will help to inform appropriate forest wood ash amendment guidelines and policy in Canada. This report aims to summarize this information into a guide for future ash amendment research by (1) summarizing the current practices and experimental approaches across AshNet research trials, and (2) identifying recommendations and considerations towards a standardized protocol and important areas of research.